Apart from roses, they are one of the most popular summer flowers and are perfect for cutting. However, in order for them to grow he althily and last for several years, dahlias need certain temperatures. What are these?
What temperatures do dahlias need for their growth and overwintering?
Dahlias require temperatures between 4-8 °C for overwintering, 8-15 °C for growth and should only be planted outdoors after the ice saints, when the nighttime temperatures no longer fall below 0 °C. They prefer warm, sunny locations and are sensitive to frost.
Can dahlias tolerate frosty temperatures?
Dahlias arefrost sensitive and should therefore be protected from frost. The best way to do this is to dig up the dahlia tubers in autumn and overwinter in a frost-free place.
Since the tubers are still collecting the last of their energy from the above-ground parts of the plant, it is important to wait until the leaves and stems have wilted before digging them up. So it can take until the end of October before the time is right. Don't worry: the dahlia tubers in the ground can withstand light frost.
At what temperature should dahlia tubers be overwintered?
For overwintering dahlia tubers, a temperature between4and8 °C is optimal. If it is warmer, there is a risk that the tubers will dry out or even sprout. Then they won't have much strength left in the spring.
Which wintering quarters are suitable for dahlias?
Cool, dry and dark places such as acellar. are suitable as quarters for overwintering the tubers.
In the basement you can provide a wooden box (€112.00 on Amazon) and line it with newspaper. Now the dahlia tubers go in and are covered with plenty of sand. The sand prevents the tubers from drying out and prevents them from rotting.
At what temperature can dahlias be sprouted?
From March it is possible to grow the dahlias at8up to15 °C. This requires a bright room (alternatively a greenhouse).
Each tuber goes into a pot with soil. The pots are best kept by the window, as the shoots immediately receive sufficient light there as soon as they appear.
Planting at moderately warm temperatures is recommended, as the plant is then usually stronger when planted out and blooms earlier. In addition, damage caused by snails is better tolerated.
How warm does it have to be when the dahlias move outdoors?
To be on the safe side, dahlias should only be planted outdoors after the Ice Saints, as then the temperatures at night are usuallynotmorebelow 0 °C fall. This means that the risk of frost is averted and the plants can no longer be damaged.
At what temperature do dahlia seeds germinate?
If you want to grow dahlias from seeds, you should note that they germinate at temperatures between18and20 °C. They can be sown directly or grown into young plants at home. They usually germinate after 7 to 14 days of constant temperature.
Do dahlias prefer warm or cool locations?
Since dahlias originally come from Mexico, they prefer awarm and sunny location. Then they fully bloom. A location protected from the wind is also important to them, as this ultimately leads to more heat.
Tip
Protect dahlias when planting early
If you plant the early dahlias outdoors at the end of April, you should cover the planting area with a pot or cardboard box in case of frost to protect the sprouting shoots.